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30.12.11

I think it is normal when the year is coming to an end and a new bright exciting future is new to look back just a little. When I sat down to write this post I wanted to tell you all about all the exciting things I am looking forward to in 2012.

But really I can't do that without looking back just a little.

2010 was good to me.

With five releases (all through Total-E-Bound) and wonderful feedback from the readers. This year we saw the continued books of the Were Chronicles with Pack Rogue, the second book in the Corporate Wolves series Losing Control, the first book in the Secrets series The shifter and the dreamer, a vampire novella Vamps in the city, and a Halloween Collection book Vampire Hunter.

I couldn't be more proud of my publisher and my fans!

Speaking of the publisher- Total-E-Bound ( some of you!) which I hope you love as much as I do. ( Esp if you are on this blog, lol!) Have you seen all the awesome things they have added in just a years time. It seems each idea and new project just gets better and better. I believe they (you) are at the cutting edge in e-book publishing and I am so proud to be a part of this family.

There were also several new authors that have joined us here and I have found a few new favorites- many with series running. (Which I prefer.)

Now that brings me to the upcoming year 2012-

Oh I get chills thinking about all I have planned.

We should see new books in the Were Chronicle Series and the Secrets series. I have also worked on several other single titles. And started a new series. I hope to match if not beat my releases of 2011!

Also I will be attending my very first RT Convention in Chicago this year. I am so looking forward to meeting other authors and the readers! This small town Texas girl can't wait to put a few faces to names. :)

New for me will also be a monthly newsletter to let you know what is going on and what is coming up. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband that is helping me with this. I will email this out starting in January.

If you would like to be added to the email list please send me a message.

28.12.11

I hope you are having a lovely Christmas time, full of fun and laughter. Here are a few sexy Santa's to feast your eyes on. So much more appealing than the rotund, rather hairy variety...

And if you want a spicy ménage to warm you up, check out my Christmas novella Candy Canes and Coal Dust.

A Finnish skiing holiday is the perfect winter wonderland for Bridget to escape her ex at Christmas time - beautifully decked trees, roaring fires and plenty of mulled wine. What she doesn't count on, however, is a very erotic, very dirty dream on the plane from London to Levi - three perfect lovers all indulging her every whim and desire, how could she not moan and groan and beg for more?

But every dream must end, and as Bridget wakes, with toe curling embarrassment, she realises every passenger on the plane has heard her frantic orgasm...including the gorgeous Irish guy sitting to her left!

27.12.11

Anyone who writes erotica, any kind of erotica, has probably heard this at least once. And what other function is there for stories that are mostly filled with characters having sex, then to titillate the reader? An interesting plot? Or perhaps complex characterisation? Nah. It’s porn, only in words, so you can imagine the pictures all by yourself.

To be honest, I think that’s utter nonsense. Yes, there are many stories with cookie-cutter characters, performing sexual acts that follow an extremely familiar scenario. Those characters are nothing more than functioning, be it often far above average attractive, bodies without much inner thought or complexity. And that’s okay, because many readers enjoy such stories in any of the popular genres.

But does that mean a story that has the sexual encounters between two, or more, individuals at its very heart, must be superficial and about nothing but what it says on the cover?

Why should it? Sex is as legitimate a means of telling about a character’s doubts, weaknesses and struggles as any other method. Feelings and thoughts about sex are simply part of the human psyche and of course, writers are bound to feel inspired by that.

Acts, and that include sexual ones, only get deeper meaning if we get to know the character(s) a little better through those acts. It’s remarkably easy to write dull erotica, but it isn’t an unavoidable part of the genre.

In reality, sex is often enough motivated by something else than lust, love and romance. It can also be about duty, familiarity, being a good sport, proving you’re not gay, who’s in charge, economics, getting it over and done with, curiosity and countless reasons more.

26.12.11

One of the most delicious recent evolutions , at least for me, has been the increased availability of e-books and erotic romance.

Years ago, I remember going to the erotica section at my local big box book retailers. (I’d say their initials, but then you’d know who they were!) They shelved erotica reads alongside the psychology books. I always felt slightly guilty when I pulled a book off the shelf to read the back blurb, or, heavens, flipped through the pages!

I definitely didn’t need a helpful customer service representative asking if I needed help. I also didn’t want to be plucking books from the shelves while men were jostling for space next to me.

Then, even worse, was the walk to the front of the store. I would generally buy something else so I could hide my erotica purchase. That was followed by being rung up by a clerk and wondering what he or she was thinking.

A lot of times, I was a bit unsatisfied by my purchases. I was looking for deeper characterization in more relatable situations. Victorian spanking stories were tantalizing, but I wanted something that I felt more connected to.

I didn’t buy erotica all the time, just occasionally. Generally you’d find me in the romance section. I’d been a voracious romance reader ever since high school. With a few notable exceptions, I often wanted more from the stories, sex wise.

And then…along came erotic romance.

Walla!

For me, it was the perfect combo. I got characters I could fall in love with. I could be emotionally satisfied by the stories, and, even better, slightly scandalized! What could be more perfect?

Well, the availability of purchasing options.

I can download as many titles as I want to my handy e-reader or I can read books on my computer. The other day, and this wasn’t ideal, but it served in a pinch, I read one on my phone!

I can browse reviews from other like-minded readers. With recommendations, I can find new authors. Or I can checkout other titles in my preferred genre. (Bet you couldn’t guess my preference for BDSM!) I can pay in various ways, too. And I don’t have to go to the front of a store with my book hidden beneath something else. Although if I did buy a book at a book store, I wouldn’t keep it hidden. The covers on these books are absolutely beautiful artistically.

25.12.11

It's that time of year again! This wonderful day means family togetherness, the warmth of home, the exchange of gifts and plenty of goodwill to end the year on a gorgeous note.

For some of us, it also means spending time with a certain someone and coming up with creative things to do after all those presents have been opened. Not sure what to do to make the season bright? Here are a few ideas that might have you blushing like Rudolph:

1. THE present. The one that you can't open in front of family and friends. The one that gets opened in the bedroom, at night, when the door is locked. Maybe it's that naughty board game or that sex toy you ordered online or those cheap sex dice that leads to hours of fun. You have one in mind already, don't you?

2. The other present. This is the one presented in nothing but a birthday suit with a pretty bow wrapped around it. In your beloved's favorite color, of course.

3. Good use of dinner leftovers. Think that pie is only good for eating in the kitchen? Think again, my friend. Naughty cheesecake, sexy grapes and even a drizzle or two of sweet syrups can make your bedtime sweeter than sugarplums.

4. Unique candlelight. Have you ever made love under Christmas tree lights? They give a glimmer to that fine sheen of sweat across his shoulders. They make curious shadows on your bodies that demand exploration. They light you up with a beautiful glow, and that leads to a lovely afterglow.

5. Snow! If you are one of the lucky ones who has plenty of snow hanging around outside, scoop some up and take it to the bedroom. Take turns applying the flakes to the skin and quickly lick them up, warming the trail wherever it may lead. Don't have snow? Now is the time of year to break out the ice cubes.

Of course, no Christmas romp is complete without the absolutely required accessory: The Santa Claus hat. Bonus points if you can keep it on your head all the way through the big finish!

24.12.11

It's Christmas Eve! Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, I think it's always good for the soul to take a moment and give thanks. There are so many reasons big and small to be thankful. Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that when life gets outta whack and nothing seems to go as planned. Losing my mom this summer keeps reminding me how fleeting everything is. Going through this experience is teaching me...and I thought I got it, that we must enjoy and be thankful for the people and the moments in our lives that give us joy.

I want to personally thank each author, reader, friend and family member who reached out to me and supported my work this year. I'm truly thankful for the connections I've made while being a part of the TEB team. I'm awed by the amount of talent and warmth I've been surrounded with since coming aboard in 2010!

Writing to me is a gift. Every time I sit down and began to type, I swear a bit of magic takes place. Every single time I type 'The End,' I think...did I really just write that? I'll go back through my own tales, thankful for the gift of imagination, thankful for the strength to plough on even when I feel I can't write another word.

Writing stories is a challenge...one that I take very seriously. I challenge myself to write tales that first and foremost entertain, but I also want to touch your heart, make you laugh out loud and better yet...dream up (act out) sexy fantasies!

Why do I write? Because hot, romantic stories make me happy! I'm an avid reader too, and reading is an escape. I just prefer my literary escapes blazing hot! Reading is a relaxing (past) pleasure-time that's all for me. Yup, just me and the characters on the page leading me into their world, their experiences...how cool is that!

So, thanks, to anyone reading that chose one of my stories to enjoy! I know how precious time is and it truly is an honor you'd spend it reading one of my tales!

Look for As You Desire the second book in my Djinn Brotherhood series, coming January 16th with Total E-Bound!

Check out my beautiful cover (thanks, Lyn Taylor!)

There exists within our world a brotherhood of Djinns…genies bound by magic, bound by honour to fulfil the desires of their masters.

Enter their realm with caution!

Danger lurks between dimensions, fiery passions ignite without control and wishes are granted for those brave enough to ask…

Get swept away with Karis and Vander in As You Wishand then continue with Lona and Rafi's passionate romance in As You Desire!

Here's the blurb:Two scarred hearts learn to beat again with the healing power of love and all its magic...

Accused of being a traitor to the Djinn Brotherhood, Lona realizes trying to love the wrong man has cost her everything...maybe even her freedom. Alone and pregnant, she's beginning to believe the terrible pain she's experiencing is punishment for all her wrong choices as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life.

When Rafi finds Lona suffering in agony, he makes a hasty decision and takes her home. Ignoring the mutual attraction between them, he agrees when asked to keep Lona in his charge until Rue is tracked down and the High Council can be certain of her innocence.

Rafi knows she's not guilty. He's lived with a lifetime of heartache to recognize something other than guilt is causing Lona's pain. He'll do anything to help her heal and find some peace. Their journey together might also lead to his own salvation...

* * * *

Romance, magic and sizzling sex...what more do you need? Except a chance to win a free copy!! How? Share one challenge you intend to conquer in 2012! What? What about me? Well, I'm challenging myself to complete and submit two full length novels in the New Year. Now, what's yours?

22.12.11

Are the holidays making your life dizzy? Need to stop a minute and enjoy something for you? How about something sweet?

A sweet part of the holidays I love is cookies. Not wanting to be stingy, I thought you'd enjoy some as well.

Here are two of my favorite recipes: Hidden Mint cookies and Giant's Thumbprint cookies. They are not my own, but heaven knows where I collected them. Irregardless, they're yummy, and I hope you enjoy them as well.

Using your hands, roll the dough into golf-ball size balls and arrange 2 inches apart on cookie sheet, flattening them out with the palm of your hand as you go. Using your thumb, press and widen into the top of each cookie to make a well. Using a small spoon, fill the wells with jam. Bake until very lightly brown around the edges, 25-30 minutes. Cool and store in airtight container.

21.12.11

With Christmas so close and Chanukah just beginning, (I have celebrated one, both, and, some years, neither), perhaps a little holiday ditty would be in order here today; but a Christmas card, a lunch date, and a text message all converging within the past week kept me focused on the topic I chose weeks ago: best friends. In my three novellas thus far, a third character is instrumental in helping my hero and heroine find love, and that’s what I planned to chat about today, the significance of those “best friends” in my stories. Then that Christmas card, that lunch date, and that text happened – and the significance of “best friends” in my imaginary worlds took a back seat to acknowledging the best friends in my real life.

My friendship with my Christmas card buddy has endured through thirty years. That’s scary in itself to me. Only my relationship with my ghost has survived longer – and John tells me he’s breathing, so he wins. Italian and Catholic, from a large, crazed family, John, once again, handed over an olive branch from our last virtual knock-down, f*ck you fight. He signed his card “to my best friend.” He’ll go to church, celebrate Mass – but, in his heart, I know he really considers himself a Druid. Through so many stupid disagreements, through all of the most significant moments of my life, this man has endured much hurt I inflicted, has inflicted some in kind – but he stood by me, through me embracing faith and through me feeling abandoned by it, always there to pull me up out of whatever gutter I chose to wallow in and push me back on a path of sorts when I fell on my ass. He doesn’t understand or particularly like my choices in love but accepts them as part of who I am, and I am fairly certain he routinely dances naked in the moonlight in some ancient ritual in an attempt to ensure my happiness.

My lunch date with a co-worker for the past ten years – I’ll call her Nancy – well, we shouldn’t be “friends” at all, in most people’s view, but we share a core set of values – fierce loyalty, a manic work ethic, a strong internal moral compass – and those shared values blossomed into the closest adult female friendship I have had the pleasure to count on. She’s a staunch Catholic; I am adrift. She hunts, with live ammo and in camo. I’m considering going vegetarian. She’s a little bit country and I…am so not. She can count patience and fortitude among her wonderful characteristics – but she puts up with my intolerance and impatience, helping me temper the intemperate, making me kinder than I often want to be. She makes me laugh at myself.

My text came from my 30-something Hindu military buddy. We’ve never physically met but “Sam” knows secrets no one else does –- because we never meet -– and respects me just the same. I still wonder at this unexpected gift. He shows me faith of another sort; keeps up with the all-nighters texting when the chronic insomniac, once again, can’t sleep; and teaches me how to say stuff like, “Turn off the microwave before the Peeps explode” in Nepali. He wants me to write a sex scene that involves a man and woman without any whips or handcuffs and he thinks it’s funny that the straightest sex I’ve written is a gay couple.

Yes, there is usually a third person – a best friend of some sort whose clothes stay on – moving the plot along in my stories. They are significant: the stories would be so thin, so lifeless, so two-dimensional without them.

Get my drift?

Whatever holiday you celebrate – or don’t – I do wish for everyone this traditional holiday season a buddy -- or two – maybe three! – who, through the sometimes inexplicable magic of friendship, takes those flat days we all experience and fills them full with the kind of gifts money can’t buy.

20.12.11

Julie loved this time of year, the crisp weather, the white pure snow, the sights and smells of Christmas. It reminded her that there was still some good left in the world. After all the crap she got dealt throughout the rest of the year, it took a lot of Christmas to make her feel good about it all again.

Which is why she was trudging through a dark Christmas tree farm on Christmas Eve, she needed the peace it would bring. It would cheer up her deserted apartment. She still couldn’t believe that Travis had taken the fake fucking Christmas tree with him when he left. Seriously who did that sort of thing? What sane person would take the time to drag out a fully decorated six foot tall plastic tree?

Well he had. So she needed a replacement and she wasn’t settling for another fake. This time she wanted real. Real tree, real happiness and real love, she wanted it all.

Julie looked up at the stars shining that she rarely saw in the city anymore. “That’s all I want for Christmas, Santa…something real.”

Probably too much to ask for. She trudged on wishing she had thought to put on pants but thankful her mind had accepted she would need boots for this mission. Her knee length skirt was wool, but it wasn’t too warm and the fishnets underneath did nothing for her. Determination went a long way to forgetting ones suffering though and she barely felt the sting of cold.

She walked farther than she had intended in her search for the perfect tree. She knew she would recognize it when she found it. She saw it and gasped, a little brighter than the rest, straighter and prouder. As if it had preened just for her. “Yes,” she whispered and touched its soft branches. “You are just perfect, everything I wanted in a tree.”

Chopping it down was no easy task, but she managed, and only broke one nail in the process. Dragging it out was harder and she was panting and sweating by the time she made it back to her SUV. “Now how the hell am I going to get it up on top and tied down?” She had really not thought this whole thing through very well

“Ma’am, do you need some help with that?”

Julie startled and turned, finding she wasn’t as alone in the parking lot as she thought she was. A man walked toward her with a length of rope in his hands. He was a huge man, well over six feet tall with broad shoulders and blond hair that fell around them. He was dressed in jeans and a warm winter coat, much more suited to the weather and being outside than she was. She was almost embarrassed. He must think her an idiot.

“Umm, yeah, that would be great. I need to get this home and decorated before Christmas is over. Do you work here?” Julie had thought the place closed when she drove in, all the lights in the building off, she hadn’t paid for the tree and wondered if he was going to call her out on it.

“Yeah, I’m the owner and only worker actually.”

“Oh! I…uhhh…I was going to pay for it…”

The man smiled at her and her knees went weak. A smile like that could make a woman drop her panties in an instant. Perfect white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. His green eyes light up like a Christmas tree with amusement and she had to bite her lip to keep from moaning audibly.

“Its Christmas Eve, Ma’am, I won’t charge you.”

“Julie, I mean…please call me Julie.” She stuck out her hand wishing neither of them were wearing gloves so their skin would touch. He took her hand and she felt heat through the layers anyway and she knew her panties would be damp now. This man was affecting her in unexplainable ways.

“Nice to meet you, Julie, I’m Josh.”

“It’s a pleasure, Josh.” Julie tried for smooth and seductive but his chuckle was less than reassuring.

I brought out some rope just in case you didn’t come prepared.” His gaze fell to her practically bare knees and she wanted to die.

“Thanks, I did overlook that necessity.”

He chuckled again and went to work, easily lifting the tree on top of her vehicle and tying it down snug. She wasn’t sure how she was going to unload it once she was home but figured it would work out somehow. If she had to she would saw through the rope with a steak knife and drag it into her apartment.

“That should stay for you,” he said and jumped down. “Have a merry Christmas, Julie.”

“Thank you, you too, Josh.” She really wanted to say more, but wasn’t sure what. Well she did know, she wanted to say, hey lets slip away for a little Christmas Eve fling. She just couldn’t be that type of girl so she climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key.

Nothing happened. She tried again, still nothing. She didn’t understand. It was practically new and there was plenty of gas, she had filled up before leaving the city. She tried again, knowing it was futile but unwilling to just stop trying.

Josh knocked on her window. She opened her door. “I’m not sure what’s going on with it.”

“Sounds like a dead battery probably. Come inside and we’ll call a tow.”

Julie followed Josh through the parking lot and into what she had assumed was nothing more than a small office. She was surprised to walk into a very comfortable home, small but nice and warm. One bedroom-one bath with a bachelor feel to the mismatched furniture. She hated to track snow through the place so stayed by the door as he picked up the phone, obviously unconcerned with tracking snow through with his own boots.

“We don’t get cell service up here. Doesn’t usually matter,” he said as he hung up the phone without a word said to anyone on it.

“Usually?”

“No dial tone…storm must have knocked it out.”

“Oh…” Julie said, wringing her hands, unsure what to do now. She couldn’t possibly invite herself to wait it out here, but what choice did she have?

“Of course you will stay here. Service should be back on in no time.”

“On Christmas eve? I can’t impose…”

“Really? You have another option?” He leaned against the counter and gave her a look that said cut the shit. They both knew there was no other option.

Julie sighed and started to unbutton her coat. “Thank you, I hope you didn’t have plans I’m ruining.”

“None at all. Was just going to sit around and wait for Santa to arrive.”

Julie relaxed and let a little giggle out as she hung up her coat. “I was going to do the same thing.” She bent to remove her boots. Her fishnets were damp and her toes were ice.

“You better go sit in front of the fire. What were you thinking going out there like that?” There was mirth in his voice but he didn’t laugh aloud so she didn’t snap back at him for pointing out her idiocy.

“I was having a bad day. A Christmas tree was going to fix it and I didn’t think all the way through it I guess.”

“Go sit and I will make us some hot cocoa.”

She watched him retreat into the kitchen and very much enjoyed the site of his tight jeans. That was the ass of a man who worked hard on a daily basis. The sight thawed her but she still headed to the fireplace to warm the rest of the way. She couldn’t see into the kitchen but heard him rummaging around. She slipped out of her fishnets, hanging them next to the fireplace to dry. She sat on the rug in front of the fire and stuck her toes up close. The heat traveled over her toes, along her bare legs and up her thighs, she couldn’t resist spreading her legs a bit to let it reach farther up her skirt. The heat touched her like fiery tongues and she closed her eyes as she absorbed it into her core, heating from the inside out.

“I hope you like marshmallows.”

Josh’s voice so close to her brought her out of her erotic daydream and she snapped her legs shut so fast her knees banged painfully together. She bit back a pained growl and tried to smile through her embarrassment. “Marshmallows in my hot cocoa are perfect, thank you.” She took the procured cup and moaned as the sweet spicy dark chocolate liquid filled her mouth and slid down her throat. “Oh that is good.”

“Thank you. It’s my own special blend.”

“You made this?” Julie looked up at him and realized he was fingering her fishnets she had hung. “Oh sorry, they were wet….”

“I’m sure Santa will enjoy filling these with treats.” Josh sat beside her with a grin and sipped his cocoa.

They sat in silence for a while, both soaking in the heat of the fire and the hot cocoa. Soon Julie was unable to resist parting her legs again, welcoming the heat that was licking at her knees for entrance. The sensation was deeply erotic and soon she felt her panties dampen and she was overly aware of the sexy hard man beside her. She wasn’t usually bold with dates, let alone strangers, but this was Christmas Eve and she didn’t want to be lonely.

Julie set down her mug and let her legs fall open a little wider, inviting. She leaned back, exposing her neck and giving him a good view down her sweater. She met his green gaze and smiled, flicking her tongue out and wetting her lips. “It’s quite warm by this fire,” she said and played with the top button of her sweater.

A rumble of appreciation vibrated in Josh’s chest as he leaned toward her. His lips gentle as they landed on hers, soft and pressing, asking rather than demanding. She parted hers eagerly, wanting more of him. His tongue slipped into her mouth, languidly caressing hers. He tasted like cinnamon and vanilla. Like a Christmas morning.

Julie reached up and grasped his long hair, holding his head as if he were going to try and get away. She moaned against his mouth, turning her body into his. His thick arms wrapped around her and pulled her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Her back warming from the fire and her front warming even faster from him, it was perfect. Her hands worked the buttons of his shirt down to his jeans and she pulled his undershirt up, wanting skin to skin contact.

His hands were teasing the skin under her sweater and she ached for him to rip the thing off. She arched her back, her skirt hiked up around her thighs and her cunt rubbed against his hard cock. Just a few inconsequential layers of cloth separated them. She broke the kiss to pull his shirt over his head. Once off she met his gaze again and smiled as his hands pulled her sweater over her head. She was so glad she had worn matching bra and panties today. She just wished they weren’t Christmas themed.

Josh smiled as he studied the bra, his finger tracing along the red lace edges. “Mistletoe?”

“Ummm yeah, they were a gift.” As if that excused her wearing them.

“I think it’s adorable.”

Her smile brightened and she leaned down to kiss him once again on the lips before kissing her way down his chest. She bit at each dark nipple then licked down his happy trail to the waistband of his pants. Her fingers shook as she unbuttoned his pants and pulled out his erect cock. She giggled at the sight of his boxers, red with green Christmas wreaths covering them. Her mouth dry she licked her lips and looked up into his eyes as she took him deep into her mouth.

He groaned and his lids half closed as she pulled back slowly. She loved that look on a lover’s face. The complete surrender to the pleasure she was giving them. It really was better to give than to receive in her opinion. Her cunt was dripping as she continued, excited by his grunts groans and thrusts. Her tongue played around the head and along the shaft then she took him full and deep again.

His hands slid into her hair and pulled slightly, spurring her on. She groaned around his cock and he pulled a little harder, using it to guide her head up and down as his hips thrust with slow deep movements. He groaned loud and pulled her off and up, smashing his lips to hers, thrusting his tongue into her mouth and taking. His softness from earlier was gone and she loved it.

Josh lifted her easily, standing them both up and dropping her back on the couch. He slid his pants and boxers off then pushed her skirt up, finding that her panties matched her bra he grinned. Then slid them down, kissing along one leg and back up the other. He buried himself between her thighs. His long hair tickled as his head moved and nuzzled until he found what he was looking for. His tongue flicked across her clit and she arched her back with a gasp. He pressed forward, his tongue covering her clit and rubbing against it as she thrust her hips up and began to pant.

His hands spread her thighs wider and she threw one foot over the back of the couch, the other hit the floor. She was splayed for him, wanting him to have access to every inch of her. His hand slid up, rubbing along her drenched lips. Slipping so easily inside, pressing through her cunt, curling up and finding her g-spot.

“Oh God,” Julie gasped, her hands gripping the couch behind her head.

Josh was relentless. His teeth grazing her clit as he alternated sucking it and lapping at it. His fingers worked in and out of her, always hitting her just right. Her mouth was open and she knew words and sounds were falling out but she couldn’t concentrate on what or even care. Her body was on fire, he was stoking it and she knew she was about to come.

She felt a rush of hot liquid and he moaned against her clit. It was all she could take. She screamed as she came, her back arching and her hands ripping at the couch. He didn’t stop what he was doing, just rode her through until she was still, and gasping.

He moved up her body, pulling down her bra and taking her nipple into his mouth. She was easily aroused again, wanting to feel him deep inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and tried to direct him where she wanted. He obeyed, pressing the head of his cock to her cunt. He moved from her breast and kissed her lips, the taste of her cunt sweet and musky, intoxicating. As she sucked at his tongue he pushed forward, his cock filling her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, sliding up into his hair and holding on as he began to move and thrust. Pushing deep then sliding out till only the head of his cock remained, making her want to scream in frustration at the loss of the fullness. She whimpered against his lips and he pushed in again, making her back arch.

Soon he was increasing the tempo, pounding now. He broke the kiss to throw back his head and cry out as he moved against her. She slid a hand down between their bodies and fingered her clit as he fucked her. She felt another orgasm building fast. She knew she would come as soon as he did.

He pulled her up to straddle him and he laid back, allowing her full control. She relished it, riding him hard and fast. Watching his face as his pleasure built, his Christmas tree green eyes darker now with pleasure. She continued working her clit and he grasped her hips pounding and pounding.

“Oh fuck!” he groaned, holding her tight as he came in her.

The rush of heat brought her over the edge and she came too, wetness rushing around his cock and dribbling over his balls. She collapsed against his chest and closed her eyes. The sound of the fire crackling and his ragged breathing filled her mind and lulled her into an exhausted sleep.

Julie was awakened by the sun blinding her through the open curtains. She was still lying on Josh’s chest. She propped herself up and saw his eyes were still closed. Pushing the hair out of his face she noticed his ears were extremely pointed. “Odd,” she whispered.

A sparkling caught her eye and she saw a fully decorated Christmas tree in the room that hadn’t been there the night before. She swung her gaze around and saw her fishnets that were still hung on the fireplace were now stuffed with small packages, a note attached to the top.

Dear Joshua,

I had hoped your silly retreat from the workshop would have been temporary. I fully intended to take you back with me tonight. But I see you have found something you were missing at the pole.

Merry Christmas,

S. Claus

“What the fuck?” she gasped and jumped off of him.

Josh jumped up and looked around as if he were ready to fight off an intruder. His eyes landed on the tree first then the stockings and note, he smiled. “Yeah it is what you think it is.”

Julie wasn’t sure if she should scream or pass out, she settled for giggling nervously.

Josh pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she forgot all about what was concerning. This man just might be everything she wanted.

Merry Christmas!

19.12.11

I’m writing
this post in a lovely little cottage by the sea. There’s a fire crackling in
the open fireplace and I’m curled up on a comfy sofa with a nice cup of tea and
my laptop (there's also a terrible mobile internet connection, but hey, you can't have it all, right?). As Christmas is a season for sharing, I thought I’d give you a taste
of my perfect Christmas holiday. So, here we go: five things I love about
Christmas by the sea:

The sea

I love the sea – in any weather, but most of
all when it’s stormy. My mom says I’m part mermaid and I guess she must be
right. I love to walk on the beach and watch the waves roll in or the
play of light and shadow on the surface of the water.

The food

Yum – fresh seafood! I love it. ‘Nuff said.

The smells

For me Christmas always smells of baking
cookies, spices – ginger, cinnamon, vanilla – mulled wine and spiced tea.
Christmas by the seaside is even better, because all the lovely Christmas smells
are even better when you’ve just come inside from a brisk walk on the beach.

The calm

I normally live in the city – and I love it.
But sometimes I just need a break from all the noise and stress and all the
craziness. What I love about the Christmas holidays, is that I get to see most
of the people I love. There’s a chance for catching up, long talks, easy
banter, fun and laughter – all the right kind of noise and none of the wrong
kind.

The coziness

Don’t you just love to curl up in front of a
fire with a good book? Well, I do. Especially when it’s cold and dark outside. What
is even better though, is a warm bed on a cold winter night, preferably with
someone you love to keep you warm – and the prospect of not having to get up
for work the next morning.

There’s
much to be said for Christmas by the sea! Mind, it doesn’t really matter where
or how you spend the holidays. What’s important is that you get to be close to
your loved ones. So, I hope your holidays will be just as lovely as mine. Thanks
for dropping by today and for your support in 2011. See you back here on 19 January 2012. Happy holidays to
you all!

18.12.11

I’m late today. As I have been for the last week or so. I’ve been working on Holiday preparations and everything else. I love the holidays. With all the cheer of the season and lots of time with family and friends. I still have so much to do until I am ready. So I’ll keep this blog brief.

I wish you a joyous holiday season and may the New Year bring you lots of wonderful moments!

17.12.11

"Where ya goin', Elsie? To a funeral?" Bert cracked up at his own joke. He pointed his beer-laden fist at her, drawing his cronies' attention to the formal black outfit she'd chosen for the party. They snickered at her obvious discomfort. She hated it when he called her Elsie. Made her sound like a cow or something.

Turning her back on her ex, Ellen headed for the bar. Okay, maybe she looked slightly ridiculous, or at least out of place, in her velvet gown and rhinestone earrings, but it was New Year's Eve, for heaven sakes. Everyone else in Alicia's vast Soho loft wore jeans. So what? She'd always loved dressing up, and what better occasion than tonight?

Too bad that everyone she knew was Bert's friend, too. She'd broken up with Bert more than six months ago, but she was still forced to see him constantly, if she wanted any social life at all. She needed to meet some new people. That was rough, though, with her sixty-hour-a-week work schedule. She picked up an open bottle of champagne and poured herself another glass. Staring at bubbles rising through the golden liquid, she wondered how to get out of her social rut.

"Mind if I have some?" An unfamiliar male voice cut into her reverie. Ellen looked up to find a stranger holding out his goblet. He had pale skin, jet black hair, plump lips as red as strawberries, and the most gorgeous tuxedo Ellen had ever seen - inky dark satin that gleamed in the dim light, a snowy expanse of ruffled shirt, and a scarlet cummerbund. It fit his lean, muscled body perfectly, too.

"Of course," Ellen replied, a bit flustered at being faced with such a vision. "I didn't mean to hog it. Here, let me...." She filled his empty crystal flute - at least Alicia had pulled out her good glassware for the occasion - admiring the strong looking fingers that held the delicate stem.

"Happy New Year," the stranger said with a melting smile, clicking glasses.

"The same to you," Ellen replied. They sipped their champagne in silence. Ellen felt as though similar bubbles were cavorting in her chest. "I'm Ellen," she blurted out as the silence lengthened. "I work with Alicia."

"Very pleased to meet you, Ellen." The impeccably attired stranger took her hand. For an instant Ellen thought he intended to bring it to his lips. At the last moment, he merely gave it a firm squeeze. "Sean. I just joined the IT department. Night shift."

"Ah, that explains why I haven't seen you around the office. I'm sure that I would have noticed someone like you!" Ellen realized after she closed her mouth that she must sound like total bimbo. She blushed to the roots of her blond hair.

"Someone like me?" Sean raised one eyebrow, a twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Well - you know, so debonair and sophisticated... I mean, there aren't too many guys who could wear a tuxedo like that - so comfortably, I mean, as though you were born in it...oh, dear, I'm being terribly silly. I'm just impressed, to be honest. Most of these guys - outside of work, they're such slobs..."

She gestured toward the other end of the loft, where Bert and his buddies gyrated to the beat of AC/DC. Topping their baggy jeans, they wore football jerseys, faded flannel, or stretched out hoodies.

"Gee - um - thank you." Ellen was dumbfounded. Men just didn't say things like that these days.

"Dance with me," Sean insisted. Ellen was about to refuse - she hated heavy metal - when the strains of a Strauss waltz reached her ears.

"What...?"

"Come on. Don't disappoint me." Graceful and confident, he folded her into his arms. They swooped across the floor of the loft, wings on their feet, while the music swelled around them.

Ellen felt completely comfortable in the embrace of this stranger. She looked up into his smiling eyes. "This is wonderful. But where did the music come from?"

Sean shrugged. "The plot required it."

His cool hand rested on her bare back. Then he moved it a bit lower. A little shiver ran up Ellen's spine. Who was this elegant stranger? Could she really trust him?

She gazed up at his pale, composed features. "Are you a vampire?" she asked suddenly.

Sean started, then laughed. "A vampire? Why in the world would you ask that?"

"Well, you have that kind of style, old-fashioned, polite, as though you'd been born a long time ago. And your skin is so white..."

"The consequences of spending my nights pounding out code in a cubicle and my days sleeping," he replied, obviously amused. He opened his mouth to divulge a set of perfectly aligned, normal teeth. "See? No fangs at all."

The Strauss ended and was replaced by Mozart. Sean continued to guide her, leading unobtrusively but firmly. She snuggled against him, enjoying the feel of his satiny tux under her finger tips. It all felt like a dream, or maybe a fairy tale, with Ellen as Cinderella.

"It's almost midnight," Alicia called from the bar, where she was opening more champagne.

Midnight. The gateway to a new year. Dimly she heard Bert leading the count down. "Five. Four. Three. Two. One." Everything but the dance and her partner seemed unreal.

Sean pulled her closer. His breath warmed her ear. "Happy New Year, Ellen," he whispered. Then he leaned down and kissed her.

For the first second or two, the kiss was almost chaste. His lips were gentle, as though asking a silent question. She gave him a wordless answer. Gaining confidence, he gathered her to his chest while his tongue invaded her mouth.

He tasted of champagne and faintly, fish, probably the smoked salmon canapés. Delicious. The kiss went on and on, growing fiercer and more feverish by the instant. His fingers dug into her hips like claws. Her nipples tightened under the stretchy velvet, until they were as hard as the stones dangling from her earlobes. The swollen bulk pressing against her belly told her that he was as aroused as she was.

Oh God! She was intoxicated, floating on a bubbly cloud, drinking him in. Cries of "Happy New Year" rang around them. Someone started singing "Auld Lang Syne". Ellen ignored everyone, lost in the most ecstatic kiss she'd ever experienced.

"It's starting to snow," someone called. "Perfect for New Year's!"

Sean abruptly broke their embrace. He looked anxiously out the floor-to-ceiling windows, where a few white flakes drifted lazily down onto the city. "Sorry," he mumbled, pushing her away. "Gotta go." He headed for the door.

"What? Wait! Where are you going? Sean?" Ellen nearly lost her balance. By the time she recovered, the tuxedo-clad gentleman who had stolen her breath and her heart had already vanished. She ran out to the empty landing and listened for his footsteps on the stairs. All she could hear was the wail of a distant siren.

Damn. She should have gotten his card, his number... She knew his first name, though, and the fact that he worked as Matheson, Fortuner and Todd just as she did. It shouldn't be too hard to find him.

She wandered back into the party, feeling more alone than ever. Midnight had come and gone but Alicia's guests didn't seem in any mood to go home. The music was louder and more raucous than before. Almost everyone was dancing, except for Alicia, who was in a clinch with her fiancé Paul.

Ellen found herself longing for her cozy apartment and her cat Franklin. For her, the party was over. Not wanting to disturb the hostess, she dug her coat and scarf out of the pile on the bed and headed downstairs.

The snow fell more heavily now. A quarter inch had already accumulated on the pavement. Her heels sank into the white blanket but it wasn't yet deep enough to make its way into her shoes. Ellen headed for the subway two blocks away, reminding herself that it might be slippery.

Bert was clearly drunk. His face was red and his eyes watered from the cold. He had rushed after her without bothering with a jacket.

Ellen spoke slowly and deliberately, knowing from experience how hostile her ex could get when he'd had too many beers. "I'm headed home. I'm tired."

"Yeah? I'll bet you're going to meet that fancy boy somewhere. That guy you were smooching with, the one dressed up like a maitre'd."

"I'm going home, Bert. But in any case, it's none of your business." Ellen disengaged herself from his strong grip. "Good night and Happy New Year." She started toward the corner.

"Not so fast, baby!" He snatched her coat and yanked her back. Ellen slipped on the pavement, smacking into his hard body. "You haven't given me a New Year's kiss yet." He brought his face close to hers. Ellen almost choked as the beer fumes enveloped her.

"I don't want to kiss you, Bert." Pressing her hands against his chest, she tried to push him away, but he held her tight. "I'm not your girlfriend anymore."

"You're mine," he replied, his voice thick. "You'll always be mine, baby. That's why I don't want you kissing no tuxedo-wearing fairy..." He forced his mouth down on hers. When she tried to protest, he plunged his tongue inside.

He tasted disgusting, the sour dregs of many beers mingling with onions from the pizza. He slobbered all over her, smearing her lipstick across her cheeks. Ellen struggled to free herself without success. Finally she just went limp and let him kiss her. It would be over soon enough.

Then she felt his cold hand sliding up under her skirt.

"No!" she cried.

"I know you missed me babe," Bert muttered, burying his face in her neck and giving her a hickie while she squirmed in his iron grip. "I'm gonna give you what you need."

All at once, someone or something rammed into them like a freight train, forcing them apart. Ellen landed on her butt in the snow. The impact dazed her and drove the breath from her lungs.

She gulped in huge mouthfuls of the frigid January air. What happened? Where was Bert?

When she saw the answer, she didn't believe it.

Her ex stood up against a wall, across the street. Actually, he wasn't standing; he was being held in place, his feet dangling, by a six foot tall black and white penguin. The binary-hued bird slapped his flipper back and forth across Bert's terrified face. Every now and again the penguin would raise one of its splayed pink feet and give Bert a vicious kick in the groin.

Ellen's former boyfriend groaned and twisted, trying to free himself from the penguin's clutches. His struggles only earned him more ferocious slaps.

"Lemme go! Please! I give up! I'll leave her alone. I promise...don't kill me...ow!" The penguin halted the beating and peered into Bert's face. Apparently satisfied, he let go of his victim. Bert crumpled to the ground.

The feathered vigilante loomed over Bert's cringing form.

"Don't hurt him anymore," Ellen cried. "Let him go."

The avian avenger turned in her direction, fixing her with its beady blank eyes. Ellen had the strangest sense of familiarity. Meanwhile, as soon as he saw that the bird's attention was elsewhere, Bert scrambled to a crouch and limped off in the direction of Alicia's building.

Ellen tried without success to rise to her feet. They kept sliding out from under her. Snowflakes swirled around her, settling on her eyelashes and blurring her vision. The next time she could see clearly, the oversized fowl had disappeared.

Too much champagne? she wondered. She didn't feel drunk. In any case, she had bigger problems than a giant penguin. Cold moisture seeped through her coat. Her toes grew numb. She shivered uncontrollably. The snow had stopped, but the temperature must be dropping. When a final attempt to get up failed, she worked herself onto her hands and knees. She'd crawl to the subway if she had to.

"Ellen! Let me help you!"

She recognized the voice. Relief flooded through her. "Sean! I was looking for you..."

"You'll catch your death from exposure," he replied. "Let's get you to some place warm." With his assistance, she managed to make it to a standing position. Leaning on his muscular arm, she allowed him to lead her to a twenty-four hour diner around the corner, where he ordered coffee for both of them.

Ellen cupped her hands around the mug, feeling the blood return to her fingers. Sean sat across from her, looking as sleek and elegant as he had at the party. He was not wearing a coat.

"Why did you leave so abruptly?" she asked. Her delight at seeing him again made it hard for her to be angry.

Sean stared into his cup. "I had to," he answered finally.

"Why? Tell me. You can trust me."

"Really, you don't want to know."

"I do. I want to know everything about you, Sean. I feel so close to you already." She reached across the table to capture his hand. "I want to get closer."

"No...it's not possible."

The pain she saw in his eyes made Ellen's heart ache too. "Anything's possible. This is a romance." She squeezed his cool hand. "Please..."

Sean just shook his head. "No. It's forbidden."

They sat in silence. The waitress topped up their mugs. Still neither of them spoke.

"How about this?" Ellen broke the silence. "If I guess correctly, will you tell me?"

Sean gazed at her, a flicker of hope animating his face.

"It was you, wasn't it. The penguin."

Sean nodded slowly. "How did you know?" he whispered.

"I'm not sure. I just felt that I knew the bird, somehow... plus he was protecting me, the way I know you would..."

"Oh, Ellen!" He took her hand in both of his. "It's such a nightmare..."

"Tell me," she murmured. She glanced around the coffee shop. They were the only customers. The stocky Latina waitress was watching television. "Tell me, my darling."

Sean took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "I was cursed," he began. "By an Inuit shaman. I was doing graduate research in ecology near the North Pole. Somehow I desecrated a site considered sacred. The curse was my punishment."

Ellen sat quietly, waiting for him to continue.

"The shaman decreed that whenever the snow began to fall, I'd take the shape of a penguin."

"Um, I thought that penguins lived at the South Pole."

Sean shrugged. "You expect black magic to be logical?"

"So back at the party, when it started to snow...."

"I had to get out of there before it was too late. I didn't want you to see me change. I didn't want you to see me - like that..."

"But...I did..."

"I couldn't let that bastard take advantage of you. I had to do something! Oh, Ellen! I've been so lonely. I hate my miserable existence. I've even thought of - of taking my own life. But tonight, for the first time, when I met you..."

"I know, Sean. I felt it too." Ellen released his hand and sat back in the booth. "You're not alone any more. I'll help you to free yourself from this horror." She placed three dollars on the table under her mug. Then she stood and offered him her hand.

"Come home with me, darling. I want more of your swoon-inducing kisses."

"Are you sure... knowing what I am? What if the snow starts again?"

"I'll deal with it. We'll deal with it together. I love you, Sean. There's nothing that can keep us apart, not even an Eskimo curse or a giant bird. Let's go."

Like the gentleman that he was, Sean helped her on with her coat. He brushed his lips across her damp hair. "I love you too, Ellen. Thank you for trusting me."

Joy swelled in Ellen's breast. Everything would be all right. After all her pain, the universe had smiled. She had found her soul mate.

"There's just one thing."

"What is it, darling?"

"Is there an all-night grocery near here? I think we should pick up some canned herring on the way home."